Broadway-equivalent lights up stage
This is the final week for the Kelowna Actors Studio 2022 season premiere of the musical Legally Blonde at its Ellis Street theatre.
This musical romantic comedy is based upon the well-loved film that starred Reese Witherspoon as a sorority girl who decides to apply to Harvard to follow her boyfriend in the name of love and realizes that love sometimes has its own interpretation and goal path.
As I play a character in this production, I can let you in on a few backstage secrets and observations.
The show stars Joanne Ryan as Elle Woods, the Malibu bombshell, who’s signature colour is pink, and her university application is perfume scented. Ryan fits the physical role of her character to a tee with a petit frame, long blonde hair, but this self-confessed “theatre kid” is also a natural when it comes to understanding who her character is and then creating comedy needed to make the script work.
During rehearsals, Joanne gets inside what the director needs from her by asking a lot of great questions then breathes life into her character to make funny standout moments.
I have quite a few scenes with Joanne, as my character is Jersey-accented Paulette Buonufonte; a woozy romantic hairdresser with a penchant for anything Irish.
She befriends Elle by talking her out of a “bad hair decision” and in return, Elle gives her the courage to get back her dog Rufus (Tank) from her abusive ex, Dewy (Kirk Holland).
Elle teaches Paula the famous “Bend and Snap” to bravely pursue the UPS guy Kyle B. O’Boyle (Tully Johnson), a muscle-cladded stud who entered her salon with a show-stopping sentence announcing: “I’ve got a package.”
Being around some of the cast members has helped me, as an actress, relax and enjoy the process so more than I have in the past. One of my favourite memories
of rehearsing was watching Mark Wells, who plays Professor Callahan, crochet little cats or cows and other objects while not in a scene.
Mark’s professional ability to step in and out of character is just remarkable. In mid stitch he stops, gets on the stage to do his scene, with awe-inspiring perfection. You know this person did his homework and nonchalantly takes authority over the character he plays. It’s quite remarkable and utterly charming to watch.
Mark also presented me with a crochet cat-head Christmas ornament that resembles my real cat Monty, after I showed him a photo. That gesture of kindness made my heart grow bigger and, if I have to be honest, I have developed a professional crush on him.
The kindness and camaraderie with each cast member really created a sense of family — the younger actors had so much energy it helped us older ones remain hyped for a show that runs on rocket fuel and sugar-coated candies that we always have loads of in the dressing room.
In the show, Elle meets Emmett Forest (Chad Abrahamson) a teaching assistant who helps her to settle in, get focused and develop a “chip on her shoulder,” which inevitably becomes the love story that flourishes in this musical.
Abrahamson’s commanding and compelling singing voice effortlessly brings lyrics to life with strength and gentleness while naturally glides through each scene he is in. I have watched Chad in so many lead roles, so having this chance to work with him is a treat. It is easy to be in a scene with him because of his intelligence for giving to a scene but not overpowering it. He lets others take some of that light, then praises you for part in it! And he gives great power hugs and fist bumps after I come off the stage from completing a scene.
Every cast member seems to fit their role so well and director Randy Leslie has a knack for finding them. One person who I get to sit beside in the dressing room is Andrea Bailey who plays Vivienne Kensington, the “serious” girlfriend to Elle’s ex, Warner, and a foe to Elle’s folly.
New to Kelowna but not to the stage, Bailey’s voice is a gift to audiences as she sings with such proficient clarity, it’s truly awe inspiring for a raspy jazz singer like me. We are both not in the opening number, so we stand side stage to sing backing vocals.
She and classically trained Sophia Friesen stand backstage and I get a free concert with every performance.
In the show there are two real dogs that were cast. Henri who plays Bruiser is a tiny Chihuahua that was afraid of all of us but now finds familiarity with who is acting alongside him. My co-star is Tank, a British bulldog cast as Paulette’s “angel” Rufus.
Kudos to Kali Syrnyk who makes sure they are well taken care of back stage.
If you need a dose of energy, fun and Broadway-equivalent talent on a stage that has been dark for two years, come see the show. Tickets and information can be found at kelownaactorsstudio.com or call the box-office on 250-862-2867. The Actors Studio is at 1379 Ellis St. in Kelowna. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. and the performance begins at 7:30 p.m. The show runs Wednesday-Sunday, with Saturday matinees.